Receptacle opener



Nov. 30 1926. 1,609,063

J. M/CLOSSON RECEPTACLE OPENER Filed Jan. 26. 1923 Inventor:

John M. C/osson,

His Attorne yv Patented Nov. 30, 1926.

JOHN M. CLOSSON, OF SCHENEGTADY, NEW YORK.

BECEPTACLE OPENER.

Application filed January 26, 1923. Serial No. 615,1 l8.

The object of my present invention is to provide a convenient, elficientand easily operable device for removing covers from receptacles such asmetal cans and like, which are ordinarily provided with smooth closelyfitting covers.

In the construction of such receptacles a flange is commonly providedupon the body portion and the cover is formed to telescope over the openend of the body portion, the movement of the cover being sometimeslimited by the flange on the body portion. Because of the fact that thecover is ordinarily made to fit tightly to prevent its acc dentalremoval and to prevent air from freely circulating over the contents ofthe rr-xcwotacle, difllculty is usually experienced in removing thecover. Many attempts have been made in the past to overcome thisdifficulty in rentioving the cover. Various forms of devices have beenemployed which are secured to the cover and so formed that they can berotated to bear against the flange on the body portion of the receptacleand exert a lifting action on the cover. In practice, however, suchdevices have been expensive in manufacture and have not beentl'iorougl'lly successful as they have been easily bent or disarrangedin such a way that they have become incapable of performing theirdesired function. These difiiculties have been somewhat due to the factthat receptacles of the type under consideration are usually made ofquite thin metal which is readily bent and with an opening device whichis fastened to the cover of the receptacle, so that no adjustment canreadily be made to render the device operative after it has once becomeinoperative. It is also difficult to fatten such devices to the cover inso secure a manner that they will not become detached therefrom.

In carrying my invention into effect, I provide a separate key oropening device which is not secured to the receptacle, or is at leastadjustable with respect to the receptacle in any desired manner so thatany accidental bending of the cover, receptacle, or opening device, suchas would prevent the operation of previously used devices,will in no wayinterfere with the operation of my improved device.

The novel features which I believe to be haracteristic of my invent-ionare set forth in the appended claims. My invention itself however bothas to its organization and method of operation will best be understoodby reference to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing in which Fig. l is a perspective view of areceptacle to which my invention has been applied; Figs. 2 and 3 areperspec tives of portions of the receptacle illustrating the operationof my invention. in removing the cover from the receptacle; and

Figs. t to 8, inclusive, are views of different forms of opening devicesor keys which may be employed in connection with my invention.

The receptacle indicated in the drawing comprises a body portion 1provided with an annular flange 2 and a cover 3, which telescopes overthe body portion 1, and the movement of which is limited by the flange2. The cover 3 is provided with an upwardly extending ear e having anopening therein for the insertion of the opening device 5. This ear maybe made integral with the cover and formed at the same time that thecover is stamped. V

In operating my opening device, the portion 6 of the key is inserted inthe opening in the car ll as indicated in the drawing. The key 5 is thenturned around an axis substantially tangent to the cover until theprojection 7 on the key can be pressed toward the cover 3 above theflange 2. The key then may be rotated downwardly about an axis on theear 4:, which is substantially oerpendicular to the cover 3, and in sodoing the cover will be raised as indicated in 3. During the turning ofthe key to raise the cover the key which is held in a positionsubstantially at a right angle to the cover may be pressed toward thebox to prevent the projection 7 on the key from slipping off the flange2. With the forms of keys shown in all figures of the drawing except-Fig. 4:, this result may be obtained merely by pressing the lowerportion of the key toward the receptacle.

It will be seen that with the construction which I have shown, the keymay be rotated around an axis substantially tangent to the cover, aswell as around an axis at substantially a right angle to the cover.v Thefirst of these movements permits the adjustment of the key to positivelyengage the flange on the body portion of the receptacle. As a result theopening device may be operated even though'the ear or the flange shouldbecome bent out of its proper shape. Because of this positive engagementof the key with the flange it is not necessary to provide as wide aflange as with opening devices previously employed. The operation oflifting the cover may be carried out by turning the key either clockwiseor counter-clockwise. If desired, the key may be so made that it may besecured to the cover instead of being detachable, provided it isarranged so that the key may be moved around the two different axes asdescribed.

W hile I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it will be apparent that my invention is by no means limitedto the particular embodiments shown, but that many other modificationsmay be made without departing from the scope of my invention as setforth, in the appended claims.

Vi hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is 1. The combination with a receptacle having a bodyportion with an annular flange thereon and a telescoping cover, of meanson said cover adapted to serve as apivot for an opening key, and a keyadapted to be detachably connected to and to rotate around the pivot onsaid cover, said key having projection thereon which is adapted to entheflange 0:1 the body portion of said receptacle when "do key is rotatedaround said pivot on a hot? sontal axis perpendicular to the plane ofthe key and substantially tangent to the cow 1'.

The combinat. on with a receptacle hav ing a body portion with anannular flange thereon and a telescoping cover, of a lug on said coverhaving an opening thereon for the insertion of an opening key, and anopening key having a portion adapted to be inserted in said opening, anda portion adapted to engage the flange on said body portion, and, whenthe key is turned, pass between the lug on said cover and said flangeand by such turning movement cause the cover to be lifted.

The combination with a receptacle having a body portion with a flangethereon, and a telescoping cover of a key adapted to engage a pivotingmeans on said cover, said key engaging the pivoting means being adaptedto rotate about an :ris substantially tangent to saie cover and about anaxis substantially at a right angle to the first named axis.

4t. The combination with a receptacle hav ing a body portion with aflange thereon and a telescoping cover, of a key having a portionadapted to engage a pivoting means on said cover and a portion adaptedto engage the flange on said body portion when the key is rotated aboutan axis substantially tan gent to said cover, the portion of said keyengaging said flange being adapted to hit said cover when the key isrotated about an axis substantially at a right angle to the first namedaxis.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day ofJanuary, 1923.

JOHN M. CLOSSON.

